Certified Coordinators
Kat Nichols
📞 480-313-1467 | ✉️ linedancingwithkat@gmail.com | 🌐 linedancingwithkat.com
Kat Nichols is a Portland, OR–based instructor, event director, and certified DancePlace Competition Coordinator dedicated to ensuring competitions run smoothly, professionally, and on time.
With over 20 competitions successfully coordinated on DancePlace during the 2025–2026 season alone—including PNWSDF, YESSS!!, Northwest Dancefest, Spooky Swing, Eastern Idaho Stomp Comp, and more—Kat brings both efficiency and experience to every event.
Her expertise comes from a lifetime in competition. With 20+ years competing in U.S. Figure Skating and ISI events, Kat has lived the competitor’s experience from the inside out—an understanding that translates directly into how she supports dancers and event directors today.
In addition, Kat holds a Master’s Degree in Education and spent over a decade as a classroom teacher, giving her the skills to keep everyone—from kindergartners to advanced dancers—organized, focused, and on task.
As the founder of the PNW Stompeders and the PNW Stompede Dance Festival, Kat understands firsthand what it takes to balance staff, competitors, and schedules while maintaining a positive event atmosphere. Her approach emphasizes clear communication, strong organizational systems, and the flexibility to adapt quickly—ensuring directors can focus on the big picture while competitions stay on track.
Whether it’s bib assignments, scorekeeping, competitor flow, or troubleshooting under pressure, Kat is committed to helping events meet NCDC standards while creating a seamless experience for dancers, judges, and organizers alike.
Russ Bradchulis
📞 617-519-3163 | ✉️ russ92101@gmail.com | 🌐 risecountry.com
✨ Over 8,000 competitor entries. Over 300 competitions. 20+ dance styles. 15 cities. 8 states. 4 time zones. 2 countries. ✨
Russ Bradchulis is one of the most experienced and respected Competition Coordinators in the country — and a total powerhouse behind the scenes. As one of the first Danceplace-Certified Competition Coordinators, Russ has pioneered the way comps are run in the ever-growing country bar dance world. From The Edge to Nashville Dance Fest, DanceXL, ShoreLine, YESSS!!, Canadian Swing Championships, and numerous other local and regional events, he’s coordinated more than 300 competitions across North America and Canada, ensuring thousands of dancers hit the floor with confidence, clarity, and zero stress. Russ' motto is "On time, every time," and he's known for making good on that promise.
Competition coordination isn’t just what he does—it’s what he lives for. (He’ll admit he still tears up every time a packed crowd roars at finals and the winners take their bows 🥹🔥). Russ has trained staff and other competition coordinators across the nation, streamlined systems for optimized and seamless scheduling, and has earned a reputation for being the person you want in your corner when the pressure is on.
Russ isn’t only a master organizer — he’s a decorated dancer himself. With six UCWDC World Championship titles in both line and partner dancing, recognition as an award-winning line dance choreographer, and continued competition in the World Swing Dance Council, Russ knows firsthand the heart and hustle of stepping onto the floor. He’s also the co-owner of Country Remix SD, the largest country dance social night in Southern California, and teaches locally and nationally, inspiring dancers everywhere to own their spotlight.
When it comes to competitions, Russ runs them on time, every time — with precision, professionalism, and a whole lot of heart. If you want your event to shine, your dancers stress-free, and your schedule bulletproof, Russ is the Competition Coordinator to make it happen.